This semester might be well under way, but it is never too late to start being organized or to learn where your resources as a student are. If you are a new student especially, this article is for you.
Stay Organized
The transition from High School to CEGEP can be difficult, especially with the different schedule, the various online platforms, and work. It can be a lot at first. However, you can’t let it get the best of you, otherwise you’ll keep on sinking and learning bad habits. The best way to not feel overwhelmed is to stay organized.
A great thing to start with is to have a digital or physical agenda. We recommend that you keep a physical one, since you are more likely to look at it often, as you will almost always have it in your peripheral vision. The opposite of “out of sight, out of mind,” if you will. If you are more used to having a digital agenda, keep up the good habit and check it often. You can also color-code different categories in your agenda like homework, work, term papers, etc. What’s important is that you use the method that works best for you, not someone else.
Some good things to always have in your bag would be: a spare pencil and eraser that are separate from your pencil case; a small first aid kit with Tylenol or Advil and some bandaids; spare hair ties if you have long hair; and your computer charger. You can always add more, but those basic things will help you in case you forget something at home, like your pencil case or charging your computer the day before. Trust us, these things will happen. The small first aid kit is always useful if you get a headache or a cut, since you never know when it will happen. You will most certainly be thankful to your past you for putting those things in your bag.
Make sure to know where you are supposed to submit your class work. Each teacher is different and may use a combination of multiple platforms. The main platforms that teachers tend to use are Perusall–mainly used for graded readings,– Turnitin, Microsoft Teams, Léa–via your Omnivox in “Assignments,”–or printed handouts in class. Always double check the submission time–as it could be before class rather than midnight–and the emplacement of the submission, since it could be in two places for the same assignment.
Student Resources and Activities
Don’t hesitate to explore your Omnivox, both on your computer and your mobile device. Get to know what each tab does and how to consult your class documents. Most teachers use this platform for homework, assignments, essays, class changes, and more. This is one of your most important places for information and student resources, such as the online library, which allows you to consult journal articles and encyclopedia articles for free with your student account.
If online libraries are less your cup of tea, head to the school library. There you can borrow books and dictionaries, you can reserve a room to meet up with teammates, or you can simply sit down to do your homework in peace. It’s a great place to sit quietly and focus. Outside of the library is the school printer. Every semester, a small amount of money from your school tuition is put into your account for you to use at the printer. A one-sided sheet is 0.07$ while a two sided sheet is 0.10$. You can find the instructions to print something on a sheet over the printer. Otherwise, you can go on your Omnivox or to the school website and find the library (Don Pretzel Memorial Library). If you scroll down a little, you should find the instructions for printing school work. Your document needs to be in a PDF format to print.
During your few years at CEGEP, you will have to write multiple essays on different topics. Sometimes, you might need help or you might want a second opinion. On the school website, under “Student Resources,” you can find a link to book a Workshop or Tutoring meeting with a teacher or a student, depending on the service you need. Your teachers probably already talked to you about those workshops. Heed their words and book in advance, especially during exam season. You can book a meeting up to two weeks in advance.
If you are unsure about your citation format in your assignments, and are too busy to book a meeting for a workshop, we recommend you check out the website called “Purdue OWL,” either for APA or MLA format. This website shows you how to format your citations for both formats without doing it for you, allowing you to learn how to do it yourself.
On the school website, still under “Student Resources,” you will find a plethora of, you guessed it, student resources, like academic support and guidance counselling. Those resources are not there to simply look pretty, they are there to help you while you are studying at St-Lawrence. Never hesitate to use those services if you feel the need to. The school website is not only for future students to see what the school is like, it is also for current students to use as an active resource point.
Another example of a school resource that you can use at any time is your student insurance. This year once more, the SLCSA–St-Lawrence College Student Association–is partnering with Plan Major, an insurance that covers almost everything. The enrollment is automatic if you paid your tuition fee in full and you are attending school for the full school year (2026-2027). The fee is directly taken from your tuition. The last day to withdraw from this insurance is on September 29th. If you want to know more about the coverage, head to Plan Major’s website (planmajor.ca/en). You can also ask either the Pathfinders or the SLCSA for information pamphlets about the insurance plan. You should also have received a MIO by the SLCSA going into more details regarding Plan Major.
Speaking of Pathfinders, you may have either seen them or heard of them. They are a team of second- and third-year students that are trained in mental health first aid. They are also experts on St-Lawrence and can help you get the information you need. Located just inside Entrance B, their booth is open from 10-2 on weekdays. You can ask a question, grab a snack, or make yourself at home in the quiet chill space.
Lastly, a good way to feel involved at your school is to join a club or to participate in student activities. Sadly, it is now too late to join a club, but you can still join a student activity by following this link: Take a leap- Try something new! Fall 2026. If you are reading the paper version of our issue, you can find the link in your MIOs, specifically the one called “Student Activities – Time to Sign Up!” by the Wellness Services.
School is supposed to be at least a little fun and students are meant to be supported during their academic years. Join a student activity, talk with your teachers; just get involved somewhere. Your teachers are there to help you. Never hesitate to ask them questions if you are unsure about an assignment or about class theory. Also, take the time to explore the school and your student resources. You never know when that knowledge will be useful!
Hang tight and have a great semester!
Writer: Mia Bouchard; Editor: James Beaupré; Picture: slc.qc.ca
